Govt to follow committee's guidance on cooperative misappropriation

KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak, has stated that the Parliamentary Investigation Special Committee on Misappropriation of Cooperatives' Deposit Amount will guide the government in addressing the issue.

In a meeting held today at the Federal Parliament Secretariat Building in Singha Durbar, Home Minister Lekhak reaffirmed the government's commitment to finding a sustainable solution to the cooperatives' problems. "The government has prioritised addressing the cooperatives' problem. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders. I believe the Special Committee will guide the government," he stated. He also pledged that the government would implement the Committee's directives.

The Committee has urged the Home Minister to expedite the arrest of those accused of misusing and misappropriating cooperative funds, whether they are within the country or abroad, and to take legal action against them. Committee coordinator, Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri, requested the Home Minister's assistance in recording statements from those imprisoned for cooperative fraud.

Home Minister Lekhak mentioned that necessary processes have been initiated to arrest those who have absconded after embezzling cooperative deposits. He added that the Home Administration would assist the Committee in recording statements from those imprisoned for misusing cooperative savings.

Home Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal and Inspector General of Nepal Police Basanta Bahadur Kunwar were also present at the meeting.